Crossing slab



June 10,y 1930.l G. E. NAGEL CROSSING SLAB Filed June 26, 1928 szkagal""` u .EWE

Patented June 10, 1930 i'l'vl @Fl E GEORGE E. NAGEL, OF COLUMBUS, OHIO CROSSING SLAB Application filed June `26,

This invention relates to railroad crossing slabs of concrete, and has for its objectto provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth,

a slab of such class constructed in a manner to increase both the shearing and beam strength thereof.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth,

a slab of the class referred to with new and improved truss elements for supporting,

spacing and tying the upper and lower courses of the reinforcing bars of the slab in a thoroughly efficient and durable manner,

and further by forming the truss elements where the reinforcing bars pass therethrough in a manner as to provide for uniform strength at such point.

Experience in the manufacture and use of concrete crossing slabs has proven that shearing stresses exerted by heavy motor truck traflic require a method of tying the upper and lower courses of the reinforcing bars of the slabs together to increase the life of the latter, and this requirement is accomplished by the truss elements, in accordance with this invention, and at the same time giving a truss effect which greatly increases both the shearing and beam strength of the slab.

Further objects of the invention are to provide in a concrete crossing slab spacing truss elements for theV reinforcing bars thereof which are simple in construction and arrangement, strong, durable, thoroughly efficient in their use, and inexpensive to manufacture.

With the foregoing and other'objects in view the invention consists of the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts as hereinafter more specifically described, and illustrated inthe accompanying drawings, wherein is shown an embodiment of thc invention, but it is to be understood that. changes, Variations and modifications can be resorted to which fall within the scope of the claims hereunto appended.

In the drawings whereinY like reference characters denote corresponding parts throughout the several views 50 Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view 19538.V Serial No. 288,346.

of a crossing slab in accordance with this invention.

Figure 2 is a section on line 2--2 Figure l.

rlhe slab comprises a body portion 1 of concrete, an upper course of reinforcing bars, 2, a lower course of reinforcing bars 3, and a series of spaced pairs of truss elements 4 and with each truss element formed of a pair of oppositely disposed truss members. The reinforcing bars are disposed lengthwise of the body portion 1 and the bars of the upper course are anchored together and the bars of the lower course are also anchored together or rather tied together. The bars of the upper course are tied to the bars of the lower course. The bars of each course are tied together and the 'bars of one course are tied to the bars of the other course by the spaced truss elements 4.

The oppositely disposed members which provide a truss element 4 are indicated at 5, 6 and as said members are of like construction, but one will be described, as the description of one will apply to the other.

Each truss member includes a pair of oppositely disposed, outwardly directed lateral end parts 7, 8 and a series -of intermediate parts. llhe number of intermediate parts depend on the length of the truss members. The intermediate parts are alternately disposed with respect to the top and bottom of the member. As shown by way of example the truss member is formed with three intermediate parts 9, 10, and 11, and with the part 10 spaced from the parts 9 and 11. 85 The part 10 is oppcsitely disposed with respect to the parts 9, 11. Each end part has a squared outer side edge 12 and an inner end edge 13 inclining in opposite directions from the center thereof. Each end part furthermore has its outer end edge 14 inclining in opposite directions from its center thereby providing a point 15. The oppositely ext-ending, inclined parts of the edge 14 are arranged in parallelism with respect to the oppositely extending, inclined parts of the edge 13.

Each intermediate part has its inner end edge 16 extending in opposite directions from the center thereof and its outer end edge 17 also extending in opposite directions at an inclination from the center thereof thereby providing a point 18. The inclined portionsV of the outer end edge 17 are disposed substantially parallel to the inclined Yportions of the inner edge 16. The end part 7 is connected to the intermediate part 9 by an inclined arm 2O of a width less than the length of the part 7 and also with respect to the length of the art 9. The intermediate part .10 isy connected to the part 9 by an inclined arm 2l and the width of the latter is less than the length of the parts 9 or 10. The part l0 is connected to the part 11 by an inclined arm 22 and the widthof the latter is less than the length of the part 10 or 11. 'The' end part 8 is connected to the part 11 by an arm 23 which is disposed at an inclination andthe Width fthere'ofjis less than the length of the part 9 The end parts and intermediate parts are provided centrallyl thereof with a circular' opening 24 for the passage of a tie bar.

The endl art Sis constructed in the same manner as t ie endpartf, that is to say is provided with a squared outer side edge 24', an

inner end edge 25 extending atopposite inclinations from the center thereof and an outer end edge 26 extending at opposite inclinations from the centerthereof thereby providing a point27. The inclined. portions of the edge 26 are disposed substantially in paral lelism with respect to the inclined portions of the edge 25. 4 y

The disposition of the linclined arms 20, 21, 22 and 23 with respect to the end and intermediate parts provides the truss member with alternately disposed, oppositelvl extending V-shaped parts or portions each4 having the closed terminal thereof` provided vby an intermediate part.

YThe length ofthe truss Vmembers preferabl is slightly less than the width of the bo y portion'l whereby the end parts thereof will be spaced adjacent the side edges of the body portion 1.

Theend parts and intermediateparts are larger than the inclined connecting arms to provide for uniform strength at the portions of the member through which extend the reinforcing bars. Y

When a pair of truss members are arranged to provide the truss element, they abut .'against Aeach other and are oppositely Y disposed. vThe truss members whenin abutting position provideopenings 28"for the passage of the concrete. The openings 28 are rarranged between the lend parts of the element. The truss element is also Vformed Awith Va passage 29 at each end for the concrete. The

Vtruss element is furthermore so constructed as to provide V-shaped passages 30 for the I conc-rete at top'offthe truss element and inv'eted V-shaped passages 31 at the bottom of I the truss element. The openings 28 and passages 29, 30 and 31 provide for the truss element to be rigidly anchored within the concrete body 1.

By reference to Figure 2 it will be noted that the upper course of reinforcing bars 2 is tied together by the trussv element and also that the lower course of reinforcing bars 3 is also tiedV together by the truss element and further thatthe truss element ties the upper course ofY reinforcing bars 2 to the lower course of reinforcing bars 3. Further the truss element supports the bars of the two courses as well ras maintains the same -in spaced relation.

Certainof the bars of each course can be supported upon one corner thereof and the remainder upon a pair'fof `corners thereof on the walls ofthe openings 24. See Figure 2.

An advantage possessed by the truss elefliv ment is that the points at the bottom thereof can rest on the bottom of the mold while the concrete is being poured, accurately spacing the entire assembly with no ill-eiiect on the surface of the finished slab. By increasing". or decreasing thesize of the 'reinforcing bars, the number of the truss elements and the length of'these latter to strengthen th-e slab ymay be varied as conditions may require. Preferably the truss elements are stamped@ from a lengthof sheet metal ofthe width desired resulting inno waste excepting where thefvopenin'gs 24 'are 'provided The small points of the truss elements coming to the surface of the 'slab are not objectionable, asv would beV a flat piece of metal without the points thatwould tendto break the bond of the concrete. In some instances the points may be enclosed by the concrete due to the steel assembly slumping endwise, but prefer-5"" ably the points will be Hush with the top and bottom surfacesrof the body portion of the slab. However, it will Vbe stated that the steel assembly does not slump to any material extent, theslump being negligible, and furv ther in the majority of cases there is no slump whatsoever.

The setting upof the slab with the truss elements 'constructed and arranged as re ferred to and illustrated provides a truss eff-3 fect which greatly `increases both, the shearing and beam strength of the slab and further accurately spaces 'the entire assembly within thel concrete body with no ill-eifectswhatso-- cverfonthe top and bottom surfaces of the slab, therefore it is thought the many advantages of a concrete slab, constructed in accordance with this invention, can be readily understood, and although the preferred eine bodiment of the invention is las illustrated and described, yet it is to be understood that changes in the details. of construction can be had which fall within the's'cope ofthe invention as claimed.

- iso What I claim is:

l. A truss me-mber for concrete crossing slabs comprising a one-piece body having oppositely disposed, outwardly directed lateral end parts and oppositely and alternately disposed V portions, each having a terminal formed with an opening, and said body being further provided in each lateral end part with an opening aligning with an opening in a terminal.

2. In a truss element for concrete crossing slabs, a pair of oppositely disposed, opposed members each comprising a one-piece body having oppositely disposed, outwardly directed lateral end parts and oppositely and alternately disposed V portions, each of said V portions having a closed terminal formed with an opening to form a set of spaced openings at the top and at the bottom of the elcment, said body of each of said members being further formed in each lateral end part thereof with an opening, the openings at the ends of one member aligning with the upper. set of openings and the openings at the ends of the other member aligning with the lower set of openings, said sets of openings providing for the passage of reinforcing bars whereby said element will support, space and tie said bars together.

8. A truss member for concrete crossing slabscomprising a one-piece body formed of oppositely and alternately disposed V portions each having a terminal formed with an opening, said body being further provided with outwardly directed lateral end parts each formed with an opening aligning with a terminal opening, and the apertured terminal of each V portion and the lateral end parts of said body being of a greater length than the width of the arms, proj ecting therefrom forming the remaining part of a V portion.

4.-. A truss member for concrete crossing slabs comprising a one-piece body formed of oppositely and alternately 'disposed V portions each having a terminal formed with an opening, said body being further provided at e-ach end with an opening aligning and with a point on its outer edge, the openings in said ends aligning with a terminal opening, and the apertured terminal ofeach V portion having a point formed centrally of its outer edge.

5. A truss member for concrete Crossing slabs comprising a one-piece body formed or oppositely and alternately disposed V portions each having a terminal formed with an opening, said body being further provided at each Vend with an opening aligning and with a point on its outer edge, the openings in said ends aligning with a terminal opening, and the apertured terminal of each V portion having its outer edge provided with a point.

6. A truss member for concrete crossing slabs comprising a one-piece body formed of oppositely and alternately disposed V portions each having a terminal formed with an opening, said body being further provided at-each end with an` opening aligning and with a point on its outer edge, the openings in said ends aligning with a terminal opening, and the apertured terminal of each V portion having its outer edge inclining in opposite directions from the center toward the ends thereof to provide a point.

7 A crossing slab comprising a body portion, upstanding, oppositely disposed truss members arranged therein and each formed of oppositely and alternately disposed V portions merging into each other, each of said members having spaced openings at the upper and lower portions thereof, and reinforcing bars extending through the upper and lower openings and tied together by said members.

8. A crossing slab comprising a solid body portion, upstanding, oppositely disposed truss members arranged therein and each formed of oppositely and alternately disposed V portions merging into each other, each of said membershaving a set of openings in proximity to the top thereof and a set of openings in proximity to the bottom thereof, an upper set of reinforcing bars extending through said upper openings and tied together by said members', a lower set of reinforcing bars extending through said lower openings and tied together by said members, and said members further providing for tying the upper set of reinforcing bars to the lower set.

9. A crossing slab comprising a body portion, upstanding, oppositely disposed truss members arranged therein and each formed of oppositely and alternately disposed V portions merging into each other, each of said members having spaced openings at the upper and lower portions thereof, reinforcing bars extending through the upper and lower openings and tied together by said members, and each of said members at the top thereof provided with spaced points and at the boti tom thereof provided with spaced points.

10. A crossing slab comprising a solid body portion, upstanding, oppositely `disposed truss members arranged therein and each formed of oppositely and alternately disposed V portions merging into each other, each of said members having a set `of openings in proximity tothe top thereof and a set of openings in proximity to the bottom thereof, an upper set of reinforcing bars extending through said upper openings and tied together by said members, a lower set of reinforcing bars extending through said lower openings and tied together by said members, and said members further providing for. tying` the upper set of reinforcing bars to the lower set, each of said members at the top thereof provided lwith spaced i lo points andy atthe bottom thereofprovided with spaced'points. y v

11. A crossing slab comprising'a concrete body portion, 'upstanding, oppositely disposed truss members arranged therein and each formed of oppositely and alternately disposed V portions merging into each other, each of said members having parts at the upper portions thereof provided with openings, said openings spaced from each other, each of said members `having parts at the lower portions thereof provided with openings, the openings in the parts at the lower portions of the members being spaced Vfrom each other, reinforcingV bars extending through said openings and tied together by said members, and the parts of said members provided with said'openings being of a length greater than the width of the remaining parts of said members.

12. A crossing slab comprising a concrete body portion, upstanding, Voppositely disposed truss members arranged therein and each formed of oppositely and alternately disposed V portions merging into each other, each of 'said members having parts at the upper portions thereof provided with openings, said openings spaced from each other, each of said members having parts at the lower. ortions thereof provided with open-w ings, the openings in the parts at the lower portions of the members being spaced from each other, reinforcing bars extending through said openings and tied together by said members, the parts of said members provided with said openings being of a length greater than the width of the remaining parts of saidvmembers, and each of theparts of each of said members provided with an opelr ing having its outer end edge formed with a point. v

13. A crossing slab comprising a body portion, upstanding, oppositelydisposed truss members arranged therein and each formed of oppositely and alternately disposed V portions merging into each other, each of said members having spaced openings at the upper and lower portions thereof, reinforcing bars extending through the upper and lower openings and tied together by said members, and the height of each of-said` members being substantially the'same as the height of fsaid body portion. y

14. A cross Y slab comprising aV solid body portion, fupstanding, oppositely disposed truss members arranged therein and each formed of oppositelyl and alternately disposed V portions merging into each other, each of said members having a set of openings in proximity to the top thereof and a set of open-ings in proximity to the bottom thereof, an upper set of reinforcing bars extending through said upper openings and tied together by said members, a lower Vset of reinforcing bars extending through said lower openings and tied together bv said members, nsaid members further providing for tying the upper set of reinforcing bars to the lower set, and the height of each of said members being substantially the same as the height of said body portion.

15. A crossing slab comprising a body portion, upstanding, oppositely disposed truss members arranged therein and each formed of oppositely and alternately disposed V portions merging into each other, each of said members having spaced openings at the upper and lower portions thereof, reinforcing bars extending through the upper and lower openings and tied together by said members, each of said members at the top thereof provided with spaced points and at the bottom thereof provided with spaced points, and the height of each of said members being substantially the same as the height of said body portion.

16. A crossing slab comprising a solid body portion, upstanding, oppositely disposed truss members arranged therein and each formed of oppositely and alternately disposed V portions merging into each other, each of said members having a set of openings in proximity to the top thereof and a set of openings in proximity to the bottom thereof, an upper set of reinforcing bars extending through said upper openings and tied together by said members, a lower set of reinforcing bars extending through said lower openings. and tied together by said members, saidl members further providing for tying the'upper set of reinforcing bars to the lower set, each of said members at the top thereof Vprovided with spaced points, and at the bottom thereof provided with spaced points, and the height of each of said members being substantially the same as the height of said body portion.

17. A crossing slab comprising a concrete body,'an upper set of spaced reinforcing bars embedded therein, a lower set of spaced reinforcing bars embedded therein, andupstanding, oppositely disposed truss members within said body, each of said truss members provided with spaced means in proximity to the top and bottom thereof for supporting, spacing and tying therewith certain of the bars of each of said sets.

18. A crossing slab comprising a concrete body, an upper set of spaced reinforcing bars embedded therein, a lower set of spaced reinforcing bars embedded therein, and upstanding, oppositely disposed truss members within said body, each of said truss members provided with means for supporting, spacing and tying therewith alternate bars of each of said sets, the bars of the upper set anchored by a truss member being alternately disposed with respect to the bars of the lower set anchored by said member.

19. A cross slab comprising a concrete body, an upstanding truss member arranged therein and formed of opposed oppositely disposed V-portions merging into each other and an outwardly directed lat-eral end part projecting of each of the outer V-portions, said member having part-s at theupper portions thereof provided with openings spaced from each other, said member further having parts at the lower portions thereof provided with a set of openings spaced from each other, said end parts provided with openings aligning with said sets of openings, and reinforoing bars extending through said upper and lower openings and tied together by said member.

20. A Cross slab comprising a concrete body, an upstanding` truss member arranged therein and formed of opposed oppositely disposed V-portions merging into each other and an outwardly directed lateral end part projecting of each of the outer V-portions, said member having parts at the upper portions thereof provided with openings spaced from each other, said member further having parts at the lower portions thereof provided with a set of openings spaced from each other, said end parts provided with openings aligning with said sets of openings, and reinforcing bars extending through said upper and lower openings and tied together by said member, said member having each of said parts provided with a point on its outer edge.

n testimony whereof, I aiix my signature hereto.

GEORGE E. NAGEL. 

